On May 11, 2025, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice announced the suspension of all chess activities nationwide. According to Atal Mashwani, a spokesman for the regime’s sports directorate, “Chess in sharia (Islamic law) is considered a means of gambling,” and will remain banned until religious scholars determine its compatibility with Islamic principles.
But this isn’t just about a board game. The ban also dissolved the Afghanistan National Chess Federation, effectively erasing the country’s organized chess scene. Ghulam Ali Malak Zad, the federation’s president, confirmed that even informal games in parks or cafes are now off-limits.
This move is part of a broader crackdown on sports and entertainment under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law. Last year, they banned mixed martial arts, labeling it too violent and incompatible with sharia.
The international chess community is reacting with dismay. Former FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has prepared an appeal to the Taliban, urging them to reconsider the ban. Meanwhile, Afghan chess players continue to compete in exile, keeping the spirit of the game alive despite the challenges at home.
In a country where options for recreation are already limited, the loss of chess is more than just a game—it’s a blow to cultural expression and intellectual engagement.
So, in the Taliban’s latest move to control public life, even the 64 squares of a chessboard are now off-limits. Checkmate.
